Staff

Chris Head
CEO

Hello, I am Chris Head and I was delighted to take on the job of chief executive of Meningitis Research Foundation at the end of 2007, having previously done similar roles at two other national health-care charities, Penny Brohn CancerCare and CLIC UK (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood).

I think the great thing about the Foundation is that, as well as funding the vital medical research which will finally lead to cures for meningitis and septicaemia, we also support people affected. We offer an opportunity, through our Membership scheme, for everyone to become directly involved in our work, particularly through media campaigns and fundraising, and I am constantly grateful for the energy and commitment of our thousands of supporters.

As a member of the Institute of Fundraising, a former board member of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, I believe strongly in championing professional standards in the charity sector. I am very fortunate that the dedication and expertise of my colleagues here is making a real difference people affected by and at risk from meningitis and septicaemia, both in the UK and abroad. 

Away from work I am an enthusiastic amateur musician and enjoy life with my family in Bath.

Paul George
Office Manager and PA to CEO

I have been with MRF since 1995, initially working 3 hours a day while managing a young family. Since then I have slowly become full time and moved over from fundraising to the position of office manager.

I am a keen supporter Charlton Athletic.

Kelly Latham
Finance Manager

Hi I'm Kelly Bidder and I've been working for MRF since May 2004 as the Finance Manager.

My main role is to process all the income and expenditure for the whole charity including satellite offices and preparing monthly management accounts, but colleagues would agree an important part of my job is paying their wages!

I enjoy working for the charity and hopefully one day I will be able to keep on top of my filing!


Sue Gillett
Cashier

My name is Sue Gillett and I've been working for the charity since November 1994, how time flies!

I'm the cashier and I deal with all the financial paperwork that comes into the charity, such as invoices, expenses forms, purchase orders and, more seriously, the banking.

I also spend time trying to collect tea and coffee funds from the staff, this is sometimes the hardest part of my job.

This team uses every available form of communication to promote the charity and its work - financing vital research, raising awareness, supporting those affected by meningitis and septicaemia, and fundraising.

We deliver assorted high-profile campaigns, such as Meningitis Awareness Week, and are especially thankful to our members who allow us to use their case histories to publicise our vision for a world free of meningitis and septicaemia.

Jane Futrell
Head of Communications and Campaigns

My name is Jane Futrell and I head up of the Communications and Campaign team. I joined the charity because I enjoy working with people who are making a difference and thrive on delivering projects which will bring tangible benefits for a wide range of people.
I oversee everything from press campaigns and parliamentary lobbying to the online site and leaflets for members of the public and health professionals.

I was a newspaper reporter in the north and south of England before joining the BBC in 1985 as a publicist in Manchester and then London. I left the BBC in 2011 after nearly 10 years as first Head of International Marketing Communications for BBC World Service and then Head of Brand Identity for BBC Global News.

Adrian Robson
Communications Manager

Hi. I'm Adrian Robson. I work in the Communications Department at the Foundation and have done since 1999.

I look after lots of e-communications, like this website, as well our newsletter for members and supporters - Microscope.

I also work to increase media coverage of meningitis and septicaemia and the work of MRF.

Having a true understanding of the devastating effects of the diseases, through our Members, continues to be my main motivation.

Read our Members' stories on site in the Book of Experience. 

Becky Pierce-Jones
PR Manager

My name is Becky Pierce-Jones and I have recently joined MRF as PR Manager. I’m part of the Communications Team and my role is to promote the charity, its aims and the work of our researchers, members and fantastic fundraisers across the UK and Ireland.

In my short time at MRF I have already spoken to some amazing people who have beaten the disease but with staggering life time after effects and those that have lost a loved one.

Personal experiences of the disease is what makes a story interesting to the media and will enable us to achieve more coverage of the work we are doing so if you have a story to tell please do get in touch.

I look forward to hearing your news.

Amy Luker
Communications Officer

Hi, I’m Amy Luker and I joined Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) in October 2012 as a Communications Officer. My role is to look after the various publications we produce and to support the Communications Team with PR, events and e-communications.

I am so pleased to be working for MRF and it is very rewarding to know that the work I do supports the many people who have been affected by meningitis and septicaemia

Shirley Gieron
Head of Helpline and Membership

Hi, I'm Shirley and I lead a team of dedicated staff and nurses working within the Helpline and Membership Department.

My work with Members and individuals who have personal experience of meningitis and septicaemia includes home visits, the Telephone Befriending Network, giving talks to health professionals and community groups, running Members' Days and linking with other agencies and charities dealing with neurological and physical disabilities.

I feel privileged to support people affected by these diseases through times of extreme crisis, sharing their experiences and working with them through life changing trauma.

Laurie Hannigan
Helpline and Membership Officer

Hi, my name is Laurie and I joined the Foundation in 2011 as Helpline and Membership Officer. In addition to answering helpline calls and providing ongoing support to people affected by meningitis and septicaemia, I work with MRF members in their efforts to get involved with the Foundation.

My aims are to encourage and support our members to in their volunteering efforts, both in terms of fundraising and raising awareness. In 2012 I will be helping to launch the MRF Ambassadors Project, which will give established members the opportunity to represent the Foundation at a regional level. We hope this project will allow our members to have an even greater impact in the fight against meningitis and septicaemia.

I am privileged to be working on behalf of the MRF members and am looking forward to meeting with and learning from as many of you as possible; please do get in touch.

laurieh@meningitis.org

Alison Pack
MeningitisWise Officer

Hi, I’m Alison and I joined the Foundation in September 2012 as the MeningitisWise Officer. I take helpline calls and answer emails from people with all sorts of queries about meningitis and septicaemia, including symptoms and after effects, and offer them support if they or their loved ones are affected.

I raise awareness of the disease by sharing information with individuals, schools, nurseries, colleges, communities and health professionals. I can see the Foundation’s work is making a real difference.

I look forward to meeting some of our amazing members and befrienders over the coming months.

 

Linda Glennie
Head of Research and Medical Information

I'm Linda Glennie and I'm Head of Research and Medical Information at MRF where I've worked since 1997.

I work with scientists and health professionals across a range of disciplines to develop information materials for the public and for health professionals, and I've co-authored several educational resources for nurses and trainee doctors. I also organise  the scientific programme for the Foundation’s biennial international conferences.

I'm responsible for managing the administration, peer review and monitoring of the Foundation’s international research programme. In collaboration with the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Bristol I manage the Impact of Meningitis project.

I was a member of the Guideline Development Group for the NICE guideline on Bacterial Meningitis and Meningococcal Septicaemia, published June 2010.

I have a background in biological sciences.

Claire Wright
Medical Information Officer

My name is Claire and my role as Medical Information Officer involves working on the educational materials that MRF distributes to health professionals and the public, making sure that it is up to date with findings from current research. 

I also try to answer specific medical questions we receive about meningitis and septicaemia and promote the charity's work at conferences around the country. 

It’s very rewarding to work on awareness literature which may go on to help save lives and support those who have been affected by this disease.

Gill Currie
Research Officer

Hi, my name is Gill and my role puts me in contact with all the research projects that the charity is funding.

Along with the administration and monitoring of grants, I also help to translate scientific information from the projects into more manageable information for this website and our newsletter, Microscope.

Another important way to link people to our funded research is through our site visit programme, which I help manage.

Being able to track some of the latest research into meningitis and septicaemia is a real privilege, and helping communicate this to the public and affected people is both interesting and rewarding.

 

Rachel Perrin
International Development Officer

Hi, I’m Rachel. Working alongside our international advisory group, my role is to expand the work we’re doing to fight meningitis and septicaemia in Africa, where the burden from these diseases is very high.

One way we hope to achieve this is by supporting a quick and reliable meningitis test. An affordable and simple test that can be used at the patients’ bedside could improve outcomes from meningitis by helping early diagnosis and treatment.

We’re also hoping to increase the scope of our international research projects, and a big part of my job is to raise funds to support research into diagnosis and treatment of meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa.

I'm on maternity leave at the moment.

 

Sara Marshall
International Development Officer

Hi, my name is Sara and I am overseeing the new Action Meningitis project in Malawi, which is committed to reducing the number of child deaths and after effects caused by meningitis illness.

I’m working with the project manager based in Blantyre to plan and implement the different parts of the project; a radio campaign to raise awareness of meningitis disease, the introduction of triage protocols using mobile technology in primary clinics to identify severely ill children, and distribution of ambulance bicycles to rural communities needing extra transport.

Previous research funded by MRF identified key barriers to treatment of meningitis in Malawi, and resulted in the Action Meningitis project through consultation with medical researchers and clinicians in Blantyre. I support the project from the Head Office, collaborating with all departments to manage, promote, and fundraise for Action Meningitis, to put MRF research and expertise into action in Malawi where there is high burden of meningitis disease.

I have previously worked on community projects in southern Africa, and am excited to be part of this new exciting project that will have great impact on healthcare access and service for children in Malawi.

 

Mike Taylor
Head of Fundraising

I’ve been running my own management training consultancy since 1995, and am excited to have joined MRF in February 2012.

I’m also Chair of Trustees for local arts organisation Circomedia, a custody visitor at our local inner city police station, and mentor for an organisation that supports new social entrepreneurs.

I host a website for local runners, I’m a keen cyclist (I love my 11 mile commute!), and I’ve led charity challenge expeditions in S America, Africa, China, Borneo, and Nepal.

If you wish to share any thoughts, ideas or feedback that can help us here at MRF, please feel free to contact me.

LinkedIn

Ian Beningfield
Deputy Head of Fundraising

Social and new media fan, part time geek and prolific coffee drinker. I've been with the charity since 2004, in the past I was involved with many of the charity's community events including most recently the running programme.

These days I spend a lot of my time finding new ways to use technology and the web to boost our fundraising, stay in contact with our Members and supporters and baffle my colleagues with jargon.

Susie Bailey
Fundraising Officer

Hi I’m Susie and I’m a Community Fundraising Officer.

I’ll be working mainly with Universities and RAGs on Raids, mega raids and the big one ‘London Loot’ in April. I’m also in charge of our student Kili climb as well as some of the runs.

If you ever fancy doing any collecting for MRF then let me know, as we always have lots of permits on offer all across the country. I look forward to meeting lots of you at our events.

Get in touch at susieb@meningitis.org

Nikki Smith
Community Fundraising Officer

Hi, I'm Nikki.

I joined MRF in 2010 and thoroughly enjoy working in the Fundraising team.

If you’re interested in taking part in any of the following runs; London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Bath Half Marathon, Cardiff Half Marathon, Reading Half Marathon, Great Manchester or Great South Run then please get in touch to find out how you could be part of the MRF team. Or if you feel a bit more ambitious and would like to support MRF by taking part in a parachute jump or one of our overseas challenges then contact me so we can arrange for you to take part in the experience of a lifetime while raising money for a fantastic cause.

From working as a Community Fundraising Officer, I get to meet lots of our supporters of the charity at our events throughout the year and it’s fantastic to see so many achieve the high fundraising targets they set themselves. I look forward to meeting many more supporters of MRF at future events.
nikkis@meningitis.org


Kate Baldwin
Corporate and Fundraising Development Officer

I’m responsible for looking after our relationships with the generous companies that support the Foundation.

I’m hugely moved and motivated by stories from our members who have been through meningitis or septicaemia. It’s great to see how the funds that are donated to us really do help in the fight against the disease and support those who are suffering with the after-effects.

Your employer could help make a difference too. For some ideas of how you could help please visit our corporate pages or get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!

Mary Millar
Scotland Office Manager

I'm Mary Millar and I'm the Scotland Manager. I joined MRF in July 2009.

My background is in marketing and advertising within the private sector, skills which I have found useful in promoting the Foundation further in Scotland, and driving forward increased awareness, support and fundraising campaigns.

I really enjoy being involved with all our Scottish Members and Supporters, and helping to make a difference to our important cause.

Robbie Coleman
Medical Information Officer

I work as the Medical Information Officer in Scotland. I have a background in Medical Science and Anatomy.

I've been with the Foundation since April '08.

I find this job motivating as I can channel my efforts into trying to prevent people suffering from the effects of meningitis and septicaemia and help provide support for those who have.

Alison Baker
Fundraising Officer

Hi, I'm Alison and I work in the Edinburgh office of the Foundation.

I've been working in a fundrasing role since 2006 and I thoroughly enjoy the large variety of fundraising that our office deals with.

I'm happy to help with all things fundraising in Scotland.


Ashleigh Hunt
Office/Fundraising Administrator

Hi, I’m Ashleigh and I started work with the Foundation in 2012. I have spent the last four years at university fundraising for different charities across Scotland and the UK.

I can’t wait to get more involved with all the MRF events and I am really enjoying meeting all the volunteers and supporters. I am always happy to receive any questions, enquiries or information so do not hesitate to get in touch.


Dawn Carrie
Office/Fundraising Administrator

Hi , I'm Dawn and I started at the Foundation in August 2009 and as an Office and Fundraising Assistant in the Edinburgh Office.

As well ensuring the smooth running of the office, my role includes organising street, supermarket and can collections in Scotland as well as helping with fundraising events. I rely on the help of all our wonderful volunteers, members and supporters, who I thoroughly enjoy meeting.

Diane McConnell
Ireland Manager

I have been with the charity since 5 April 1995 and am the Ireland manager - which incorporates two offices, Belfast and Dublin.

I love my job and get great satisfaction from working with members and supporters of the charity who are as committed to the cause as I am.

I have four grown up children and one grandson. I like family Sundays and walk and read when I get the time.

Emma McNeil
Fundraising Officer

I’m Emma McNeil and I work as a Fundraising Officer in our Belfast office and have been with the Foundation since 14th March 2007. I feel working for Meningitis Research Foundation is extremely rewarding and although I have been amazed by people’s fundraising efforts I have also been saddened at how meningitis and septicaemia can affect and devastate lives. This is why I am passionate about my role.

Ifeel honoured to work with our members and supporters and hearing howmeningitis and septicaemia has devastated so many lives reminds me how vital our work at MRF is.

Kathryn McAuley
Medical Information Officer

Hi, I’m Kathryn McAuley. I have recently started working as the Medical Information Officer for the Northern Ireland Office. I have a background in Biomedical science and genetics.

My role with MRF is varied and includes working with health professionals to provide up to date information, implementing public awareness campaigns and providing support to those people affected by meningitis and septicaemia.

It’s very rewarding to raise public awareness which may go on to help save a live and a great privilege to provide support to those who have been affected by this disease.


Keli Wilkinson
Fundraising Officer

I work as a Fundraising Officer in our Belfast Office and have been with the Foundation since October 2007.

The role is extremely varied and there is never a dull moment which is great! I work closely with Emma Collins, the other fundraiser in the office, although I am responsible for parachute jumps, overseas challenges, corporate fundraising, marathons and that's just for starters!

I really enjoy talking to members and supporters and meeting them at events as I think that makes all the difference. I really enjoy being able to help people with their fundraising ideas and find the role very rewarding.

We are a small team in Belfast but we all work very well together which makes it a great place to work!

Diane McConnell
Ireland Manager

I have been with the charity since 5 April 1995 and am the Ireland manager - which incorporates two offices, Belfast and Dublin.

I love my job and get great satisfaction from working with members and supporters of the charity who are as committed to the cause as I am.

I have four grown up children and one grandson. I like family Sundays and walk and read when I get the time.


Monika Madej
Fundraising Officer in Ireland

I work as a Fundraising Officer for Dublin office and have been with the Foundation since 29 May 2006.

As the only fundraiser in the office I'm responsible for generating the income and coordinating every aspect of the fundraising activity.

The charity gives me not only a great opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge but also a possibility to meet wonderful and inspirational people.

In my spare time I enjoy life the best I can.


Andy Cochrane
Medical Information Officer

I’ve recently starting working as Medical Information Office in the Dublin Office.

I’ve lived in Ireland for over 20 years and have a background in paediatric nursing, and more recently, psychology.

I’m looking forward to learning from and sharing with those affected by meningitis and septicaemia.

Wioletta Tometczak
Administrative Officer

It's good to work in a demanding, fast-paced multi-tasking office and to know that we are helping other people.